PROCLMATION
   

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING MAY 2009 AS

National

Drug Court Month

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WHEREAS, the 1989 Miami-Dade County Drug Court innovation by the 11th Judicial District of Florida drew national attention and permanently changed the American system of criminal justice; and

   

WHEREAS, over the past two decades, similar drug courts across the United States have been restoring lives, reuniting families and making communities safer by focusing on partnerships between public safety and public health to combat substance abuse and the associated criminality; and

   

WHEREAS, since being established in 1995, the San Mateo County Drug Court has seen more than 1,400 participants; and

   

WHEREAS, nationally, less than 17 percent of drug court graduates re-offend, compared with a 60- to 80-percent recidivism rate among drug offenders sentenced to prison and a recidivism rate exceeding 40 percent for those sentenced to probation; and

   

WHEREAS, more than 25,000 judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, substance abuse and rehabilitation professionals, law enforcement and supervision personnel, researchers and educators and national, state and local leaders are dedicated to the collective ability of the drug court concept to heal.

   

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County designates May as National Drug Court Month. The Board expresses it gratitude to all the practitioners and participants who not only make the San Mateo County Drug Court a success, but also contribute significantly toward reducing substance abuse and overall crime on the Peninsula.

   

Dated: MAY 19, 2009

   
 

SUPERVISORS:

 
   

MARK CHURCH, PRESIDENT

   

CAROLE GROOM

   


RICHARD S. GORDON

   


ROSE JACOBS GIBSON

   


ADRIENNE J. TISSIER

     

Attest:

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Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors